Title : Blog Rubric—High School

Description : A rubric written for high school students to self-assess their blogs.

Keywords : Research, Web site

Instructions : Use this rubric to self-assess your blog.

Categories

Grade Level : 9-12

Subject : 

Type of Assessment : Electronic Publications

4	3	1	2
Purpose
My blog provides information and opinions on an important and interesting topic, and encourages meaningful interaction among readers.	My blog provides information and opinions on an important topic, and allows my readers to interact with each other.	My blog provides information and opinions to my readers.	My blog shares information about a topic.
Content
I make an effort to include relevant, interesting information about all perspectives of an issue on my blog. I get information from a wide variety of credible sources.	I refer to information from more than one perspective and draw my own conclusions based on my research. I get information from a variety of credible sources.	The information I present lacks critical content. I try to draw conclusions, but sometimes my conclusions are not based on the research. My information lacks credibility.	I only present one perspective on my topic. I do not draw my own conclusions about the research but just repeat information I found in my sources.
Interpretation
I use my personal experiences, my understanding of the subject, and my research to make connections and draw original conclusions to enhance my blog’s message.	I make connections and draw reasonable, original conclusions from my research to enhance my blog’s message.	I make connections and draw conclusions from my research, but sometimes they are not grounded in facts.	I do not draw my own conclusions from my research. My blog just repeats information I found in my sources.
Sources
I gather extensive information from a variety of reliable sources. I cite my sources correctly.	I get information from some reliable sources outside the classroom. I make minor errors when citing my sources.	Most of the information on my blog comes from my own opinions, without any reference to sources. When I do cite my sources, I make some errors.	The information on my blog is entirely my own opinion, without any sources to back it up.
Audience
My writing engages my audience by anticipating their questions and concerns. I ask thoughtful questions and pose thought-provoking scenarios and ideas to engage my audience in constructive debate about the topic.	I address my audience’s questions and concerns. I pose questions to encourage my readers to respond.	I try to address my audience’s questions and concerns. I sometimes ask questions to encourage my audience to respond.	I rarely think of my audience when I compose my blog entries.
Voice
My blog entries reflect my personality in the way I use language and by occasionally referring to my experiences and interests. My writing shows that I am sincerely committed to sharing my thoughts and learning more about the topic.	My blog entries reflect my personality by occasionally referring to my experiences and interests. My writing shows that I care about the topic.	I try to show my personality in my writing, but my personal references are not always appropriate or do not add to the purpose of my blog. My writing shows that I do not care very deeply about the topic.	My writing does not show my personality. My entries often sound like I am just completing an assignment.
Writing
My writing style is appropriate for my audience and shows my personality. I use interesting language and a variety of writing techniques to make my writing meaningful. I have no errors in conventions, unless I deliberately break standard conventions to enhance the purpose of my blog.	My writing style is interesting and appropriate for my audience. I use some different writing techniques. I have no errors that detract from my blog’s purpose.	I try to write in a style that is interesting and appropriate for my audience, but sometimes my writing is predictable or confusing. I have some errors that detract from my blog’s purpose.	My writing is often predictable or confusing. I have so many errors that my readers have difficulty understanding my writing.
Updates
I write blog entries with new information and thoughts in my blog at least every 10 days or so, without being reminded.	I write blog entries with new information and thoughts in my blog at least once a week, without being reminded.	If I am reminded, I write in my blog at least once every two weeks.	Even when I am reminded, I often do not write in my blog for weeks at a time.
Extra Features
I include a variety of features, such as relevant graphics, photos, and links, to enhance what I am saying and to persuade and engage my readers.	I include features such as graphics, photos, and links to enhance what I am saying and to persuade my readers.	I include some features such as graphics, photos, and links on my blog.	I do not include any extra features in my blog, or the features I include do not make sense.
Creativity
I use language and blog features in surprising and unusual ways to communicate my message.	I use language and blog features in interesting ways to communicate my message.	I try to use language and blog features in surprising ways to communicate my message, but my attempts sometimes distract from the purpose.	I do not try to use language and blog features in surprising ways.